Production of artificial textile materials



PRODUCTION OF ARTIFICIAL TEXTILE MATERIALS Filed Nov. 11, 1929 At-t army 5 Patented June 16, 1936 UNITED STATES PRODUCTION OF ARTIFICIAL TEXTILE MATER IALS William Ivan Taylor, Spondon, near Derby, England, assignor to- Celanese Corporation of America, a corporation of Delaware Application November 11, 1929, Serial No. 406,356 In Great Britain November 21, 1928 4 Claims.

U. S. patent application S. No. 393,287 filed 17th September, 1929, describes the production of artificial silk and like yarns or threads characterized by the primary filaments or groups of 5 primary filaments comprising the yarns or threads being merged or coalesced and physically united to form yarns or threads having different physical and other characteristics from those hitherto produced.

The object of the present invention is to enable further forms of textile materials to be obtained by physically uniting a number of artificial silk or like filaments, and according to the invention, a plurality of filaments in the form of long continuous lengths are rendered sticky or tacky by the application of a substance or material that has a solvent, a restricted solvent, or a softening action on the filaments, and the filaments while in a condition to adhere to each other are submitted to the action of pressure and then allowed to harden, the resulting product being a single filament or strip of flattened cross-section. By applying pressure to the whole length of the filaments, a ribbon or straw-like product is pro duced, but by the intermittent application of pressure, alternating lengths of flattened and roundishcross-section may be obtained. Further, crinkled effects may be produced, giving a product having a similar appearance to millinery straw. Ribbons, tapes, or straws produced in the above manner are possessed of considerable flexibility and toughness. I

The filaments to be united maybe treated with the solvent or softener individually and subsequently brought together, or they may be treated while associated as a twisted or untwisted thread. The treatment may also be carried out on the filaments continuously with their production by the dry or evaporative method or by the wet 40 or coagulation method, or'while they are being unwound from packages such as bobbins or hanks. A particularly have] effect is obtained by treating filaments in the form of knitting cord, for, while the solvent or softening action and the pressure applied transform the filaments into a flattened ribbon, the initial twist in the cord gives the ribbon a crinkled or twisted appearance. The pressure may be applied inany suitable manner, a convenient method being to pass the 50 filaments between one or more pairs of rollers. One, or preferably both, of the rollers of each pair is positively driven, and means are preferably provided to enable the pressure to beadjusted. For this purpose, screw means may be suitably arranged to press one roller against the other.

Plain rollers enable a simple fiat ribbon to be obtained, and toothed, embossed, or regularly or irregularly corrugated or fluted rollers or pressing devices may be used to produce crinkled or embossed ribbons, or products having intermittently flattened portions. Similarly, ribbons alternately narrow and wide, with consequently varying thickness, may be produced.

As'described in U. S. patent application S. No. 393,287, the solvent or softener may be applied by spraying or immersing the filaments or by passing them over rollers, rods, wicks, or other devices moistened with the substance or material. The solvent or softener may also be used in the form of vapour through which the, filaments are passed. Any residual stickiness in the flattened products may be removed by treating them with suitable substances, suchas lubricants.

It is preferred to apply the solvent or softener in quantities only just sufficient or not substan tially exceeding the amount necessary to secure adhesion of the several filaments to each other. When restricted amounts of solvents or softeners are used, the product rapidly hardens, and stickiness after adhesion is reduced to a minimum, thus facilitating subsequent handling, such as winding or reeling. Moreover, any stickiness which might interfere with the handling of the product may be easily counteracted, as explained above. In addition, and apart from the economy effected in the quantity of solvent or softener used, it is possible to form a product in which there is retained to some extent in the united and flattened structure the fibrous qualities of the separate filaments entering into the structure, this increasing the flexibility of the product.

If desired, dyes or other coloring matter may be applied to the filaments which are to be united and flattened. For example, the solvent or softener'may have incorporated therein a dye, or metallic or other coloredpowder which is thus applied to the filaments simultaneously with the solvent or softener. Further, striped effects may be produced by uniting colored filaments or by introducing coloredor uncolored filaments, yarns, or threads of the same or other material into the number of filaments to be united. Fine metallic wires or ribbons, such as tinsel, mayalso be incorporated in the flattened product.

The ribbon or other product may be wound or otherwise collected after treatment.

The invention is particularly applicable to the treatment of artificial filaments having a basis of cellulose acetate or other cellulose derivatives, whether produced by the dry or evaporative method or by the wet or coagulation method, and whether during the course of such production or subsequently thereto. Examples of other cellulose derivatives which may form the basis of the filaments are cellulose esters, e. g., cellulose formate, propionate, and butyrate, thiocarbamic and alkoxy-alkacyl esters of cellulose, and nitro-cellulose; cellulose ethers, e. g. methyl, ethyl, and

benzyl cellulose; and the condensation products of cellulose and glycols and other polyhydric alcohols.

Solvents or softeners suitable for use with filaments of cellulose acetate or other organic derivative of cellulose are acetone (commercially pure or mixed with water), triacetin, ethyl lactate, diacetone alcohol, and mixtures of diacetone alcohol with water or alcohol. When a volatile solvent such as acetone is employed, means may be employed to assist its evaporation from the filaments after the pressure has been applied, and, if desired, such means may be associated with an apparatus for the recovery of the solvent. Such solvents or softeners as are not removed by evaporation may if necessary be removed by any suitable operation, such as washing, or may be allowed to remain in the products.

The ribbons, tapes, or straw-like products manufactured according to the present invention may be woven or otherwise formed into fabrics or articles, and are capable of wide use, for example, in millinery and as insulation for electrical purposes.

A method of carrying the invention into effect will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, but it is to be understood that the following description is in no way limitative.

Referring to the drawing:-

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic elevation of an apparatus for the treatment of filaments continuously with their production;

Figs. 2 and 3- are side and end elevations respectively of flattening rollers shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detailed view of a solvent applying device;

Fig. 5 is an alternative solvent applying device;

Fig. 6 shows fluted rollers suitable for the production of crinkled material; and

Fig. '7 shows rollers suitable for the production of material having alternating flattened and normal cross-section.

A bundle of filaments I e. g. of cellulose acetate extruded from a spinning cell 8 is passed-round a feed roller 9 and led therefrom over a wick I 0 depending into solvent H e. g. acetone, in a container 12. Sufficient solvent is applied by the wick ID to render the filaments adhesive, and while the filaments are in this condition they pass between a pair of rollers l3 and subjected thereby to pressure to form a ribbon or straw-like product. The flattened filament passes over a further wick l4 moistened with a lubricant such as olive oil to remove any residual stickiness, and the material is finally wound on a bobbin or other device l5, which is preferably frictionally driven to maintain tension between the rollers l3 and the winding device.

Any desired number of bundles of filaments produced in the cell or chamber 8 may be led simultaneously over the wick l 0 and between the rollers l3, the number of bundles employed depending on the thickness and width desired. Other material l6 which may comprise other yarns, colored or otherwise, or metallic wires or tapes, may be led together with the filaments over the wick, the other material conveniently being drawn from a bobbin I! by the feed roller 9.

The pressure exerted on the filaments by the rollers l3 may be adjusted in any convenient manner to control the thickness of the product, for example, by means of the hand wheel I8 and screw I9 shown in Figs. 2 and 3. It is preferred to arrange that the rollers l3 can be moved apart to permit of the ready insertion between them of the filaments. The rollers may be driven through a clutch.

In Fig. 2, the upper roller [3 is shown mounted on a fork carried by the arm 2! suitably pivoted at 22. After the pressure of the screw l9 has been released, the upper roller l3 may be raised by means of a'handle 23. The lower roller [3 is driven by means of a pulley 24 and a gear 25 on the roller-spindle 26 meshes with a gear 21, connected to the upper roller I3 so that the two rollers are positively driven. In lieu of the screw IS a weight or spring may be applied to the arm 2| to provide pressure between the rollers I3.

If it is desired to produce, a crinkled product corrugated or fluted rollers 28 may be employed as shown in Fig. 6. Similarly, engraved or embossed rollers may be used.

In Fig. 7 the softened bundle of filaments I is passed between a pair of rollers 29 and 30, the

roller '30 being provided with recesses 3| on its periphery so as to form raised portions 32 which press on to the filaments l to produce flattened portions 33 and unfiattened portions 34 alternating along the length of the material. It will be obvious that the material may be flattened at regular or irregular intervals along its length by providing appropriate equal or unequal spacing of the recesses 3| on the roller 30.

In order to retard the evaporation of the solvent and to exclude dust etc., the container [2 may be provided with a cover 29, a slot 30 at the top of the cover allowing the filaments to come into contact with the wick ID. The wick is suitably supported on a rod 3| carried by the container l2, and depends into the solvent H. Instead of the wick, a roller 32 covered with fabric 33 and driven at any appropriate speed may be employed, solvent 34 being contained in a trough 35 into which the roller 30 clips.

The feed-roller 9 may be dispensed with, the

filaments being drawn to the rollers l3 by being passed round one of them. One only of the rollers l3 may be positively driven, the other receiving an indirect drive by the pressure between the rollers. both rollers positively. An endless band, preferably of metal may be passed round the lower roller l3 to serve as a support for the filaments passing to the rollers, and the filaments may be laid in wavy or zig-zag fashion on this band by means of suitably actuated fingers so as to produce a wavy ribbon or tape. Similarly operating fingers may be used for the same purpose even if such band is not employed.

For the production of products having a larger cross-section than is obtainable from a bundle of filaments spun by a single jet or nozzle, filaments spun by other jets or nozzles may be added to the bundle prior to its passage through the nipping rollers. The larger cross-section thus obtainable may be utilized to give greater width and/or greater thickness to the product, the nip of the rollers being adjusted according to requirements.

A similar treatment may be applied to filaments during .a bobbin-to-bobbin .or other wind- It is however, preferred to drive ing operation, and in such treatment filaments twisted or doubled into threads or cords may also be employed.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

1. Process for the production of artificial textile materials comprising applying a solvent or softener to a plurality of artificial filaments so as to enable the filaments to adhere to each other and submitting the filaments while in mutually parallel relation to the action of pressure in such a manner as to form a crinkled product of fiattened cross section.

2. Process for the production of artificial textile materials, comprising applying a solvent or softener to a plurality of artificial filaments of an organic derivative of cellulose, so as to enable the filaments to adhere to each other, and submitting the filaments while in mutually parallel relation to the application of pressure intermittently along their length to form a product having alternating lengths of flattened and roundish cross-section.

3. Process for the production of artificial textile materials, comprising applying a solvent or softener to a plurality of artificial filaments of cellulose acetate, so as to enable the filaments to adhere to each other and submitting the filaments while in mutually parallel relation to the application of pressure intermittently along their length to form a product having alternating lengths of flattened and roundish cross-section.

4. Process for the production of artificial textile materials, comprising applying a solvent or softener to a plurality of filaments in quantity just sufficient to render the filaments sticky, so as to enable the filaments to adhere to each other, and submitting the filaments while in mutually parallel relation to the application of pressure intermittently along their length to form a prodnot having alternating lengths of flattened and 2-3 roundish cross-section.

WILLIAM IVAN TAYLOR. 

